Thomas Harding

Thomas Harding

Security and Policy Editor
London
Thomas Harding is the security and policy editor covering Westminster politics and European affairs. He has reported extensively on the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the British parliament. Before joining The National in 2020, he was a special adviser to the UK defence secretary, working on policy and communications in the Ministry of Defence. He was also defence correspondent for The Daily Telegraph, covering the conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Sierra Leone, the Balkans and Northern Ireland. He has a degree in international history.
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UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy delivers a keynote climate speech at Kew Gardens in London. He called for greater funding for the global south's transition to renewable energy and raised the threat of mass migration from global warming. Bloomberg
UAE's 'inspiring' Cop 28 summit helps UK government pivot on climate change

Foreign Secretary David Lammy praises progress made and calls for international finance to assist global south transition to renewable energy

September 18, 2024, 6:18 AM
The American University of Beirut Medical Centre is packed with wounded from the pager blasts. Reuters
Hack or sabotage? Theories swirl over pager attack on Hezbollah

Experts say the group suffered serious damage to its communications network but retains significant combat power

September 17, 2024, 6:42 PM
An ambulance on Westminster Bridge in London. A government-backed report has called for HAPI zones to be created to help tackle the UK's health crisis. AP
Can 'HAPI zones' solve Britain's health crisis?

Government-backed report calls for more parks and swimming pools in poor towns to improve UK population's well-being

September 16, 2024, 11:01 PM
Taliban security officials at a checkpoint, in Kabul, Afghanistan. The regime has used jamming technology possibly from Iran to stop an independent Afghan channel broadcasting into the country. EPA
Taliban jams Afghan TV station 'with Iran's help'

Regime has allegedly used Tehran technology to block respected independent outlet broadcasting into the country

September 16, 2024, 3:09 PM
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a visit to University College London Hospital. AFP
Keir Starmer's reform plan to plug Britain's health gap

Prime Minister demands move from analogue to digital as report highlights 'critical' state of UK medical care

September 12, 2024, 3:53 PM
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy arrive to attend a meeting with Ukrainian president in Kyiv on September 11, 2024, amid the Russian invasion on Ukraine. (Photo by Anatolii STEPANOV / AFP)
Will Iran's missile supply to Russia hurt them more than the West?

Ukraine's allies the US and UK send envoys to Kyiv to discuss strikes deep into Russian territory as Moscow's forces push west

September 11, 2024, 4:35 PM
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy says it is vital to speak to Arab states to find a solution to the regional crisis. EPA
UAE and Arab partners important to post-war Gaza, Lammy says

UK Foreign Secretary emphasises need for two-state solution as Blinken backs push for ceasefire agreement

September 10, 2024, 4:19 PM
An Iran Air Airbus A330 touches down at Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport. Getty Images
UK, France and Germany halt Iran flights after Tehran sends missiles to Russia

Europe’s E3 taking immediate steps to cancel bilateral air services with Iran

September 10, 2024, 2:16 PM
A British air drop of aid for northern Gaza. The UK government has launched reviews on how to 'maximise Britain’s global impact'. Photo: FCDO
UK launches foreign policy review to 'restore reputation overseas'

Foreign Secretary David Lammy says he wants to reconnect, particularly with rising powers including Gulf states and Global South

September 09, 2024, 5:54 PM
A test firing of Iran's home-built surface-to-surface Fateh missile. AFP
Iranian missiles sent to Russia for new onslaught

President Zelenskyy says Western allies are dragging their feet, with a significant number of promised air defences still to be delivered

September 06, 2024, 3:24 PM
Donald Trump would give Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 'even more free rein' than President Joe Biden, a former MI6 agent has said. Reuters
MI6 compiles dossier for Trump's 'messy' global return

The Middle East and Ukraine could suffer from the withdrawal of US backing in a second Trump presidency

September 05, 2024, 10:40 AM
A Norwegian soldier taking part in a military exercise. The country is doubling its defence budget to meet threats. Reuters
Norway warns melting Arctic ice increases chance of major conflict

Oslo is rearming with warships, submarines and space surveillance to counter growing Russia and China threat

September 04, 2024, 6:00 AM
An Israeli F-35 Lightning II fighter jet. The advanced jets, which have been used to bomb Gaza, are not included Britain's arms export ban. AFP
Symbolic British Israeli arms ban under attack from opposing sides

Labour groups call for total ban on weapons exports while pro-Israelis condemn embargo as aiding Hamas and Iran

September 03, 2024, 1:39 PM
British Foreign Minister David Lammy said 'this is not a blanket ban, this is not an arms embargo'. AFP
UK announces partial ban on arms exports to Israel

Foreign Secretary says 30 export licences suspended over 'clear risk' they could be used in 'serious violation' of international law

September 02, 2024, 3:38 PM
An Israeli main battle tank during operations to destroy a tunnel in central Gaza. An in-depth report has highlighted new issues over tactics of fighting a 'devastated terrain warfare'. AFP
Israeli target errors in Gaza stemmed from 'devastated terrain warfare' tactics

In-depth UK think tank report highlights military shortcomings, with Hamas tunnels creating 'corrosive moral' issues

August 30, 2024, 7:00 AM